Nordic churches in London

There are several long-established Nordic churches in London. All seek to provide Lutheran Christian worship and pastoral care to their respective national communities in their own languages. Many of the churches also organise language classes and organise a wide range of social activities.

Danish Church

Danish Church (St. Katharine's)

The church is located at 4 Saint Katharine's Precinct, Regent's Park, London NW1 4HH (off Albany Street) (51°32′2″N 0°8′48″W / 51.53389°N 0.14667°W). The nearest London Underground stations are Camden Town or Great Portland Street.

The Danish Seamen's Mission in London is based at 322 Rope Street, Rotherhithe (51°29′40″N 0°2′1″W / 51.49444°N 0.03361°W). There is also a Danish Church in Hull (the St Nikolaj Danish Seamen's Church at 104 Osborne Street) (53°44′33″N 0°20′44″W / 53.74250°N 0.34556°W).

The London and Hull congregations are both part of the Danske Sømands og Udlands Kirker (DSUK) - The Danish Church Abroad / Danish Seamen's Church. The DSUK was founded in 2004 through the merger of The Danish Church Abroad and The Danish Seamen's Church in Foreign Ports. The DSUK is affiliated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark.

From 1696 to 1870 there was a Danish church in Wellclose Square. It was built by Caius Gabriel Cibber who was born in Denmark.

Finnish Church

Finnish Church

The Finnish Seamen's Mission and church (Suomen Merimieskirkko, Finlands Sjömanskyrka) is located at 33 Albion Street, Rotherhithe, London, SE16 (51°29′58″N 0°3′11″W / 51.49944°N 0.05306°W). The current rector is the Revd Teemu Hälli. The church also has a shop selling Finnish products and has hostel accommodation for visitors to London.

The London church and mission was first established in 1882, when the Finnish port chaplain who had been sent to Hull in 1880 was relocated south because of the level of work demanded in London. The present church building was opened in 1958 and refurbished in 2006; its distinctive architecture is recognised as a Grade II listed building. The architect was Cyrill Mardall-Sjöström.

Rotherhithe railway station (on the London Overground) is located nearby (on Brunel Road). The nearest alternative is Canada Water station on the Jubilee line. It is also possible to take bus routes 381 or C10 to Rotherhithe station.

The approach ramp to the Rotherhithe Tunnel is immediately behind the church (between Albion Street and Brunel Road). The Brunel Engine House is nearby; Rotherhithe Library is located between the Finnish Church and St Olav's Norwegian Church.

Icelandic congregation

Lutheran services in Icelandic are held (usually on the third Sunday of every month) at the German Church (Christuskirche), 19 Montpelier Place, Knightsbridge (51°29′58″N 0°9′58″W / 51.49944°N 0.16611°W). There are also regular Icelandic services being held at the Ulrika Eleonora Swedish Church of London, Harcourt Street.

Norwegian Church

Norwegian Church (St. Olav's)

There has been a Norwegian church in London since the late 17th century. The current church building (St Olav's, designed by John Love Seaton Dahl), was consecrated in 1927, the foundation stone was laid the previous year by Prince Olav (later King Olav V of Norway). King Haakon VII and the Norwegian government in exile regularly worshipped at the church during World War II, when the church was given the status of a pro-cathedral.

St Olav's Church is located close to the River Thames in Rotherhithe at 1 St Olav's Square, Albion Street (next to the entrance to the Rotherhithe Tunnel) (51°29′57″N 0°3′15″W / 51.49917°N 0.05417°W). The nearest Underground stations are Rotherhithe or Canada Water. The congregation is part of the Norwegian Church Abroad (also called The Norwegian Seamen's Churches or in Norwegian, Sjømannskirken.) The Finnish Church (see above) is located nearby in Albion Street.

The Norwegian Church Abroad also runs the Norwegian Fishermans' Church, Liverpool, and formerly ran the Norwegian Church, Cardiff.

In addition to regular church events, the church organises activities such as Saturday school and football practice.

Swedish Church

Swedish Church, Harcourt St.

The Ulrika Eleonora Swedish Parish in London is part of "Church of Sweden Abroad" (SKUT). The first church for the Swedish community in London opened in Wapping in 1728, but it was replaced and relocated in the early 20th century. There are now two Swedish churches in London - Ulrika Eleonora Church and the Seamen's Church.

Ulrika Eleonora Church is located at 6 Harcourt Street, Marylebone (51°31′12″N 0°9′53″W / 51.52000°N 0.16472°W). It was built in 1911 and is a Grade II listed building. The altar, pulpit, fonts and chandeliers are from the former church in Wapping. As well as the church and staff accommodation, there is also a reading room, church hall, library and parish office. The nearest Underground station is Edgware Road on the Circle line, District line and Hammersmith & City line.

Swedish Seamen's Church, London

The Swedish Seamen's Church was opened at 120 Lower Road, Rotherhithe (51°29′42″N 0°3′3″W / 51.49500°N 0.05083°W) in 1905. The current premises were built in 1930 and partially rebuilt in 1966. As well as a church and clergy accommodation, there is also a reading room, television room, billiard room and a hostel providing overnight accommodation. The Church of Sweden is planning to close the Swedish Seaman's Church during 2011. London is the only overseas parish that currently has two churches. The nearest London Underground station is Surrey Quays on the East London Line, followed by Canada Water on the Jubilee line.

SKUT is accountable to the General Synod of the Church of Sweden. SKUT provides staff and funding for churches abroad. Since 2002 SKUT has been linked to the Diocese of Visby; the Bishop of Visby is responsible for episcopal oversight.

See also

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